William Whitelaw has quietly become one of the most improved players in the Columbus Blue Jackets system this season. Among their nine NCAA prospects, which included names like Jackson Smith and Cayden Lindstrom, Whitelaw has made one of the biggest leaps in development.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft at 66th overall, Whitelaw was selected by the Blue Jackets during the Jarmo Kekäläinen era. Now in his third collegiate season, he has taken a remarkable step forward for the defending champion Western Michigan Broncos and has become a key contributor to one of college hockey’s best rosters.
Third season, third school
He is now in his third season of college and has attended three different schools so far. He started at the University of Wisconsin after his final season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he scored 61 points. At Wisconsin he scored 17 points in 37 games played. He then transferred to the University of Michigan, where he scored 18 points in 35 games played. He then switched again to Western Michigan after the 2024-2025 season.
When asked what made him choose Western Michigan after going through two previous programs, Whitelaw said the decision was focused on development and long-term goals.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously I’m fortunate to have gone to three schools in three years, but at the end of the day you only get one chance to play in the NHL. Coming here was a no-brainer. The way this staff develops guys, they make everyone better, they hammer in the details, that’s how you end up playing in the NHL. That’s ultimately why I came here. And obviously to win a national championship.”
The Broncos are 9-5-0 about two months into the season. However, they didn’t start the season the way they wanted, including a loss at home to Ferris State early this season, that they had nothing to lose. But they are now 5-3-0 in National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) play and appear to be back on track.
Part of the offseason challenges for head coach Pat Ferschweiler and his staff has been replacing major offensive pieces after losing top scorers Alex Bump and Tim Washe to the NHL. While many key players returned from the national championship team, those departures opened some holes in the Broncos’ forward group, holes that were expected to be filled by new additions like Whitelaw.
Top line production
Whitelaw played on the Broncos’ speedy top line on the right wing, skating alongside center Owen Michaels and left wing Ty Henricks. Henricks landed that spot about a month into the season, and since then the trio has developed some chemistry on a hard prediction line.
He has also taken on a noticeably increased workload this season. Whitelaw is averaging 17:39 of ice time, which is a significant jump from his role last season at Michigan. CollegeHockeyNews.com reports thishe has the second-highest CHIP score on Western Michigan’s roster at 22.9, behind only Grant Slukynsky’s 24.3.
He is second on the team with thirteen points, including seven goals and six assists. When I saw him play in Kalamazoo against the Miami RedHawks, he finished the weekend with three points on two goals and one assist. One of the goals came from tapping in a loose puck on the side of the net. What struck me most is that he often gets to the front of the net and positions himself well on the man advantage.
Related: Western Michigan completes sweep with 6-2 win over Miami
White law is also on the top power play unit and is one of the more aggressive shooters on it. His wrist shot is one of the best on the team and he isn’t afraid to let it go when he has space. In the Miami Series I thought he could have put a few more pucks on goal instead of waiting for the perfect look, but he still created chances and his passing/cycling remained a clear strength.
Whitelaw is working to become active in all three zones, and for a smaller forward, he can backcheck quite well, using his speed and quick stick lifts to disrupt opponents at times.
Whitelaw said one of his biggest focuses this season is rounding out his two-way game.
“I would say my game at 60 yards and more is consistent. I think consistency is the most important thing for me. And coming here, the coaching staff is the best. They develop everyone, they make people exceed expectations, and how hard they preach the details has really helped my game. It’s only going to get a lot better, so I’m excited.”
Earlier in the season against St. Cloud State, he scored what I think is his most impressive goal of the season, showing off his hands and quickness with the puck on his stick.
Through 14 games, he leads the Broncos in shots on goal with 69, well ahead of the next closest (Liam Valente with 52). He also has one shorthanded goal and two game-winning goals. His discipline is also solid, with five minor penalties in ten minutes this season.
Whitelaw has played in both the Big Ten and the NCHC and has seen how the two leagues differ.
“Yes, I think the control is a little stricter in the NCHC. In the Big Ten there is generally a little more room. The NCHC is a little tougher. But other than that there is nothing crazy.”
He also discussed his experience at the Blue Jackets development camp last summer and what stood out to him about his third time there.
“Yeah, I mean it was really good. Meeting the new prospects and being a returner, my third year there, it was a lot of fun seeing the same kids you’ve been going to camp with since you got drafted, and also seeing the new guys. Working with Donskov, their new development guy, was great. It was just overall a lot of fun being with the guys and working on the little details of the game. So it was really fun.”
Whitelaw is currently a 20-year-old Junior and will turn 21 in the spring before the end of the season. The only real downside to his projection is his 6-foot-4, 185-pound size, and how that will translate at the professional level remains to be seen. Still, many smaller forwards are thriving and making an impact at the NHL level.
Hopefully he will get an entry-level contract after this season and his professional career will likely begin in the American Hockey League (AHL). I see him developing into a depth piece at the NHL level or an everyday AHLer, but his early-season development suggests he may have another level to reach.
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